2024 brings numerous interesting challenges over the horizon for the Spanish National Team, and this Friday it served up its first appetizer at the Olympic Stadium in London. A friendly match serving as a Euro 2024 preparation match that was full of interesting details and valuable lessons to take forward.

Colombia, who came into the match with the longest unbeaten run in world football, were a stern test for a Spain side who controlled the game and enjoyed some good chances, despite the result ultimately favouring the South Americans.

Luis de la Fuente started an eleven full of new players, with the debut of centre-back Dani Vivian from Vitoria, followed by goalkeeper Álex Remiro after the break and then Catalan defender Pau Cubarsí, who broke the record for the youngest for a defender in the national team colours.

Pau Cubarsí, at 17 years and two months, has become the youngest defender to make his debut for Spain.

As for how the match played out, it increased in pace and intensity progressively after a goalless first half in which Grimaldo threatened early on for Spain and Laporte was constantly switched on to deal with the danger that the winger Luis Diaz brought when around David Raya's goal.

After the restart, the introduction of James Rodríguez opened up the game on the South American side and, after a couple of warning signs, a move initiated by the former Real Madrid player was what decided the match. James played a sweeping ball forward down the left through to Luis Díaz who jigged inside and out before playing a cross that was acrobatically volleyed home by Daniel Muñoz. A spectacular, yet singular, goal in the match.

Spain did not stop pushing on looking to level the scores until the very end. They came especially close from a fine volley from Pedro Porro and looked dangerous with the probing runs of substitutes Morata and Nico Williams.

In spite of everything Spain could muster, the scoreline remained 0-1 until the final whistle. Now, the Brazil match awaits at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, with Euro 2024 growing on the horizon. The best is yet to come.